Dona Berta

Dona Berta is more than a winery—it is a tribute to deep family roots and the distinctive terroir of the Douro Superior region. Named after the founder’s mother, the winery represents a dream shared by several generations. The project began in the 1980s, when engineer Hernâni Verdelho returned from travelling the world in pursuit of business opportunities to his family estate, Quinta do Carrenho in Freixo de Numão. He returned with a clear purpose: to continue the winemaking tradition of his father and great-uncle. His great-uncle had once told him: “One day, these lands will be yours, and you will turn them into a great winery.”

Driven by fresh energy and memories of his youth, Hernâni Verdelho carefully restored old and rare grape varieties and planted new vineyards on sunny, mid-elevation slopes with the sheltered schist soils known locally as xisto, typical of the Douro. His aim was to transform this remarkable heritage into complex wines with a timeless character.

Today, the winery manages approximately 15 hectares of vineyards and focuses on native Douro varieties such as Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Rabigato and Verdelho. It is particularly proud of two hectares of vineyards that are more than 100 years old, including some pre-phylloxera varieties that no longer appear in official registers.

Around 30 years ago, after travelling the world in pursuit of business opportunities, Hernâni Verdelho returned to his family estate on a sunny slope in the Douro to continue its distinctive winemaking tradition.

Filled with energy and fond memories of his youth, he restored the old vines and planted new ones on mid-elevation slopes with sheltered schist soils and excellent exposure to sunlight.